Geelong have shown their faith in young big man Nathan Vardy by handing the 11-game player the No.30 jumper worn by triple AFL premiership backman Matthew Scarlett.
The 21-year-old Vardy, who stands 198cm, battled a hip problem in 2012 and played only two senior games.
Scarlett retired after the 2012 season following a 284-game career that included six All-Australian selections and one best and fairest trophy.
Former North Melbourne ruckman Hamish McIntosh will wear the No.17 jumper following Shannon Byrnes’ move to Melbourne, while ex-Demon Jared Rivers will take No.25 after Tom Gillies was delisted.
The Cats have given delisted former ruckman Orren Stephenson’s No.23 jumper to ex-Gold Coast midfielder Josh Caddy, according to the geelongcats.com.au website.
Rookie-listed big man Josh Walker will take No.34, as worn by his grandfather Peter Walker in the Cats’ 1963 premiership side.
The Cats will give numbers 36 and 40 to their two recruits in the November 22 national draft.
Vardy wore No.36 and retired premiership defender David Wojcinski wore No.40.